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Over a million Palestinians in Israel for Ramadan

8/21/2013

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Thanks to a series of steps and gestures taken by Israel through the
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories towards the
civilian population, during the month of Ramadan over a million
Palestinians entered Israel.

Palestinian worshippers pray in front of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem during the month of RamadanCopyright: Reuters

Palestinian worshippers pray in front of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem during the month of Ramadan (Photo: Reuters)

This
year, Ramadan, which is the holiest month on the Muslim calendar, fell
between 9 July - 8 August 2013. Observance of the festival includes the
commandment to fast from sunrise to sunset, Friday prayers and
celebrations with one's extended family. In order to ease conditions for
those Palestinian residents observing the month of Ramadan, COGAT and
the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria implemented a series of measures and gestures, with the emphasis on alleviating the waiting time at crossings and facilitating access by the population to the holy sites.

The
easing of restrictions during the festival enabled for the first time
residents aged over 60 to enter Israel without a permit throughout the
Ramadan period, and for women (of all ages) and men (over the age of 40)
to enter without a permit on Fridays. Similarly, the entry of 20,000
worshipers was permitted during weekdays (men and women over the age of
35). In addition to these alleviations of restrictions, the hours during
which crossings are open were extended, numerous permits were given for
family visits in Israel and internal crossings were opened to
facilitate the movement of thousands of vehicles.

During the
month of Ramadan, approximately one million Palestinians entered Israel.
On Fridays during Ramadan and on the Laylat al-Qadr and Eid al-Fitr
festivals over 600,000 worshipers entered Israel. In addition to this,
over 180,000 Palestinians were allowed to enter Israel in order to visit
first and second degree relatives. Despite the fact that most of those
entering Israel did not require a permit, approximately 183,500 permits
were given to visit relatives and approximately 29,660 to participate in
prayers.

On Fridays during the month of Ramadan, tens to
hundreds of thousands of Palestinian residents passed through the
crossings into Israel. Most of the congestion was created at crossings
in the Jerusalem Envelope and Bethlehem sectors. "A huge backlog was
created at the crossing; however, thanks to the level of cooperation
between ourselves and the Palestinian security forces and residents, we
were able to meet the challenge", reported Captain Timor Marai,
commander of the Abu Dis delegation of the Jerusalem District
Coordination and Liaison Administration (DCL). "The presence of DCL
officers and soldiers at the crossings was essential; we are able to
provide a professional and non-military solution to any problem or
question that we are called upon to deal with".

"Ramadan is an
"annual show" in our sector and we are learning from year to year how to
contend with it in the best possible way" explained Lieutenant-Colonel
Ofer Meital, commander of the Jerusalem DCL. "The system worked in an
excellent way and this can also be seen in the satisfaction expressed by
the Palestinian residents regarding the Ramadan arrangements. The month
saw a significant decrease in the number of security incidents,
disturbances and confrontations".

"We have a duty as a
democratic country to facilitate freedom of worship. The State of Israel
through COGAT ensures that the Muslim community is free to observe and
participate in the commandments and prayers of this festive month. This
is our mission and we have to dedicate ourselves to it every year again
from scratch" concluded the DCL commander.